Lead-in-blood concentration is generally accepted as the best measure of lead absorption by exposed individuals. An attempt was therefore made to relate blood lead level and other biological response parameters to personal exposure to airborne lead dust, taking account of particle size and solubility, which might be expected to affect deposition and absorption. The study was carried out at 3 factories over a period of 3 months.Blood lead measurements on given individuals over this period showed high stability (average CV 10%); other biological parameters had CVs of 30 to 50%; total Pb in air values from full-shift personal samples had a CV of ca. 70%.The study failed to establish a close correlation between blood lead and dust exposure for any particle size or solubility, but total dust did best, indicating the importance of gastro intestinal absorption from the larger particles even if of relatively low solubility. The relation ship between blood lead and lead-in-air appeared to be non-linear. It is concluded that lead-in-air measurements are unsuitable for use as a primary hygiene standard for lead, although useful in giving warning of changed conditions. © 1979 British Occupational Hygiene Society.
